Jonathan Nelson Featuring Purpose - Right Now Praise

By Peggy Oliver

The domino effect seems to apply in the case of Jonathan Nelson’s ministry with one scenario leading to another. From the debut, self-financed Live in Baltimore: Everything You Are, God orchestrated people to further Nelson’s gift. Fast forward almost four years later as Nelson, signed with Integrity Music, releases the sophomore CD, Right Now Praise.

The journey began as Karen Clark-Sheard was passing through Baltimore, Maryland for a concert and needed some background vocalists. Purpose began their humble beginnings as a group of friends who sang at Nelson’s father, Pastor James Nelson’s church, Greater Bethlehem Temple. They would back Clark-Sheard, plus gospelteers like Ted & Shari, Kim Burrell, and Donald Lawrence. Many times comparisons are trite, but their sound clearly mirrors Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers in their resonating harmonies and prosperity-related songs. Healed, recorded by Lawrence on I Speak Life (Verity), would garner Nelson a 2006 Stellar Award for Songwriter of the Year. More blessings were bestowed as singer/minister of music Troy Sneed requested the Baltimore native to write another song, Youth for Christ’s The Struggle Is Over (Emtro). Certainly among the blessings were the valleys, including nearly losing major possessions while working a part-time teaching job. Nelson could have rebelled, but instead picked up his pen to create the new CD’s title track.

Most songs on Right Now Praise evolved from Nelson’s successes and increase in faith. Champions opens the proceedings, reminding us we have authority in Christ in utilizing our gifts to the fullest. The dazzling keyboards and the brass dancing all around encompass a victorious entrance to this live recording at Nelson’s home church, Empowerment Temple AME. The first single, My Name Is Victory continues on that plateau.

No time is wasted in honoring the Father through the precious, classical music modulations by Purpose for Drench My Heart. Nelson enters midway gently inviting the audience to ask the Lord to be near us.

Jonathan’s twin brother, gifted singer/songwriter/musician, Jason, teams up for a key ingredient in reaching the praise zone, summed up on the title track: “I must reach down inside to the depths of my soul.” The duet meshes brilliantly, despite different vocal approaches.

It pays to take sermon notes. Bettah was birthed from a prophetic word during a service, basically saying “praise makes things look better.”

Setting up My Yes Is Coming, Nelson examines Scripture on how God never negates his promises: “for all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him, Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Guest soloist Sheri Jones-Moffitt (Ted & Sheri) drills the point home from the first note.

The Hymns of Worship medley expounds on two treasures, I Need Thee Every Hour and Fill My Cup Lord, which deeply penetrated souls at Empowerment.

Capacity, a composition based on a sermon by Nelson’s father, urges us to follow “the deer that pants for the water” (Psalms 42:1).

Chris Tomlin’s How Great Is Thy God, a well-respected contemporary hymn, fits perfectly for Nelson & Purpose’s soaring voices, in a rock-tinged arrangement similar to the original.

A bonus track, Healed, claims victory over the chains that bind us: “May have some scars…circumstances…disappointments, I’m healed.” Many who attended the live experience such as Brent Jones and Crystal Rucker join in the lively finale.

On the accompanying DVD, viewers will witness an electric atmosphere from that night. During the altar call, several accepted Christ. Everyone on stage was in one accord, whether on a snappy jam or crisp orchestration throughout the worship medley. Nelson’s intuitive songwriting and worship pacing are also major assets. This aggregate should be lighting worship fires for a long time, while passing some blessings on in the process.